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refectory

[ri-fek-tuh-ree]
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noun, plural re·fec·to·ries.
  1. a dining hall in a religious house, a college, or other institution.
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Origin of refectory

1475–85; < Late Latin refectōrium, equivalent to Latin refec-, combining form of reficere to renew (see refect) + -tōrium -tory2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

arenatheatergymnasiumamphitheaterloungechamberchurchgalleryauditoriumballroomgymsaloncasinomartarmorylyceumrefectorystateroom

Examples from the Web for refectory

Historical Examples

  • Raymonde had just escaped for a few minutes from the refectory, where she was on duty.

    The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete

    Emile Zola

  • He would return to the refectory, as if relieved of some great crime.

  • The bell rang for supper, and they went down to the refectory.

    The Christian

    Hall Caine

  • Then the bell rang for breakfast, and he went down to the refectory.

    The Christian

    Hall Caine

  • But if his reception in the refectory was chilling, his welcome in the courtyard was warm enough.

    The Christian

    Hall Caine

British Dictionary definitions for refectory

refectory

noun plural -tories
  1. a communal dining hall in a religious, academic, or other institution
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Word Origin

C15: from Late Latin refectōrium, from Latin refectus refreshed
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for refectory

n.

"dining hall," especially one in a monastery, early 15c., from Medieval Latin refectorium, from past participle stem of reficere "to remake, restore," from re- (see re-) + facere (see factitious).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper